Community participatory processes focused on equity in health at the local level

Community action for health and well-being in the Basque Country builds on a rich tradition. The region boasts a vibrant landscape of community initiatives, with a wide array of projects and actors spread across its territory. These range from creating walking routes for older people to building school playgrounds. However, significant opportunities remain to strengthen this action. Currently, only one in five initiatives are classified as co-managed, where the community actively participates as an equal partner throughout the process. Additionally, fragmentation and a lack of coordination among stakeholders are challenges that need to be addressed. These factors highlight the necessity for a more structured, community-centred approach, which the new strategy seeks to provide.

The 25-month project, funded by the European Union and led by the Basque Department of Health with technical support from the OECD, aims to strengthen community action for health and well-being in the Basque Country. It focuses on improving coordination, enhancing institutional preparedness, and engaging policymakers and stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability. Key outputs include a strategy proposal, an action plan outlining implementation steps, and recommendations to improve institutional capacity. Activities such as expert workshops and training sessions support knowledge exchange, while a pilot tests selected strategy components.

The project provides the Basque Department of Health with concrete tools to implement a structured approach to community action. The strategy proposal and action plan provide a clear framework, while targeted recommendations strengthen institutional capacity. Expert workshops and training sessions have improved stakeholder engagement and collaboration, supporting good practice exchange. The pilot phase will test key strategy elements to ensure feasibility before implementation. A communication plan ensures effective dissemination of results, raising awareness and fostering broader adoption of the strategy. Strengthened coordination and institutional readiness will lead to more effective community-led health initiatives, benefiting policymakers and local communities.